if you mean using my "read the non backlit screen technique" i chose a color monitor, then i chose next (i actually saw a bit of color in the screen), then a lot of text came up and i chose continue then a screen with "set up keyboard" or something like that came up and i threw in the towel. if you mean how far into the boot process, right before the color/monochrome dialogue box came up. gracias, ari ps. thanks for the speedy reply. goodness!